Tue Aug 26 13:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Headline: Putin Launches Broad Offensive in Ukraine, Taunts Zelensky; Praises Trump Amidst Rising Tensions**
Moscow – Amidst a breakdown in truce efforts and escalating tensions, Russia has launched a major military offensive in Ukraine, with President Vladimir Putin boasting of significant gains, including the “elimination” of over 9,300 Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. Reports indicate an “all-direction” attack utilizing UAVs, artillery, and missiles.
Putin has mocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, comparing his military actions to those of Hitler, and issued a veiled threat, offering Ukrainian troops in Kursk the option to “surrender.” The offensive is described as a “worst nightmare” for Zelensky, potentially rocking the Ukrainian frontline.
Simultaneously, Putin has praised former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him “the light at the end of the tunnel” for U.S.-Russia relations. Despite repeated calls from Trump, no meeting is planned between Putin and Zelensky to resolve the ongoing conflict, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The military action coincides with Russia’s expanding influence in Africa, cementing its nuclear ambition in the Sahel region after the Wagner Group’s move.
The developments paint a picture of Russia asserting its military power in Ukraine while simultaneously seeking to improve relations with the U.S. under a potential Trump administration. The offensive raises serious concerns about the future of the conflict and the potential for further escalation.
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